It has been a rough journey on the way to cleaning up my hair washing habits. My hair is stick straight and very fine so I don’t really do much in the ways of styling it, I’ve always been content with just leaving it alone. It has always been oily-prone and grows pretty fast. In the summer, I started trying out a couple green hair products I’d found at Whole Foods. In addition to switching products, I also knew changing my washing routine from shampooing every night to only 2-3 times a week would account to healthier, greener locks.

At the time, my hair was freaking out from the initial products I tried and I was too. My hair was not adjusting well to my new green, clean routine nor to the transition of products. After going through bottles of clean shampoos that made my hair feel gummy and grease-central for days on end, I’d nearly thrown in the towel on finding affordable, accessible and clean shampoo. However, I gave it one more try and picked up the Lemongrass + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo since I’d heard great things about Acure Organics.

Instantly, after the first wash, my hair felt rejuvenated and silky smooth. The shampoo lathers slightly but not as much as in shampoos that have Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) in them. When running my fingers through my hair or blow drying, I didn’t experience strands of tacky or oily locks and felt that my hair was back to its normal self. This shampoo leaves my hair feeling nourished and clean without causing it to feel dry or limp and gives me good volume too.

The refreshing, aromaticminty-lemongrass scent is enough to make you meditate in the shower and you can truly feel the gentle, clarifying formula at work. I like that Acure Organics describes this as an everyday shampoo that’s also safe for color treated hair like mine. Even though I’ve transitioned into not washing my hair everyday, it’s nice to know that when I do creep back to my old habits, this shampoo doesn’t further freak my hair out but instead, treats and maintains it. Here’s how Acure Organics describes this shampoo:

I like that Acure Organics uses simple, effective ingredients and all their formulas are fair trade, natural and organic. See more about their product ingredients here. The brand has become a favorite of mine for their accessible (available at Whole Foods markets), affordable and beneficial products. Not to mention, Acure Organic’s awesome ethical, transparent and environmentally-friendly commitments.The brand’s motto is: “For Your Skin, For The Planet”.

I also like the soft, 8oz squeezable packaging as opposed to a hard, shampoo bottle because it takes up less space in my shower and is lightweight and easy to travel with. Acure Organics also offers larger sizes (24oz) of their shampoos if you really love the results and want to save money. (Unfortunately, I don’t think they sell a larger size of the Lemongrass + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo.)

I’d recommend the Lemongrass + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo to anyone who might be starting the transition to green haircare as it’s a simple, effective product that makes switching over a little bit easier without compromising quality or price.

There are always good promotions for Acure Organics products at Whole Foods markets (I was able to buy this shampoo at a small discount from my Whole Foods) or you can find the products online at many retailers. Spirit Beauty Lounge also sells a duo of this shampoo with the accompanying conditioner for $19.99 online.

Au Natural Factual is back for 2014! Today, we’re talking about Lemongrass, an ingredient I have been loving lately in my hair and body products. It has also always been a favorite scent of mine.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus)is a perennial plant known for it’s many medicinal and therapeutic benefits and is indigenous to many areas of South Asia. Reported medicinal benefits of lemongrass are used in treating digestive problems, high blood pressure, fever, body pain, the common cold, cough and exhaustion. Lemongrass is also known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant and astringent properties.

Used when dry, lemongrass can be steeped to make tea, used as medicine as well as flavoring for food. The plant is commonly used as an ingredient in popular South Asian cuisine and is commonly found in soaps and cosmetics as a fragrance. With it’s lemony, citrus scent, lemongrass can also be extracted as an essential oil and applied topically or when used in aromatherapy, often inhaled for muscle pain relief. It is also said that lemongrass has rubefacientproperties which may improve blood circulation.

The chemical composition of lemongrass is also interesting in understanding the basis for its many health benefits and natural characteristics:

The main chemical component found in lemongrass is citral, an aromatic compound, also known as lemonal. The compounds myrcene, citronellal, geranyl acetate, nerol and geraniol are found in varying quantities in Citral. Myrcene, geraniol and nerol contribute to lemongrass’ strong fragrance, citronella acts as an insecticide and geranyl acetate is another flavoring agent. –Healthers.org

The presence of Vitamin A in lemongrass can also have benefits for skin. Lemongrass helps to treat acne, brighten dark spots and prevent oily skin. The herb’s astringent and antibacterial properties are also good at reducing skin bacteria and infection. Lemongrass has also been thought to improve poor body odor by controlling excessive sweating.

During the summer I did a VISIA complexion analysisat Whole Foods where I learned the status of my skin and added more exfoliation and oil-control to my daily skincare routine. One of the products recommended to improve my complexion was the MyChelle Dermaceuticals Clear Skin Serum($33, 1oz). Used regularly, this potent serum minimizes oily-blemish prone skin, clears pores, and aids in skin repair. Initially I purchased this serum because the Whole Foods esthetician incorrectly noted I could use this alone as an acnespot treatment (you can’t, really) but I’m glad I picked this up because it is a great product for maintaining clear, balanced skin.

I really like MyChelle products because the brand is affordable, accessible (sold at Whole Foods), participates in eco-friendly operations and gives back to the community. They approach skincare by using natural, nontoxic ingredients that provide effective results without sacrificing the health of your skin. MyChelle products are also organized into a clear numbering system so you can easily understand each product, its usage and its order within your skincare regime. The Clear Skin Serum is a Step 3 product.

Also, how cute is this packaging? “Seeded in science and rooted in nature”

My results

MyChelle recommends using 2 pumps of this serum daily after regular facial cleansing. I usually apply this serum at night right after cleansing my face and before applying my night cream or facial oil. I have found this serum works great during the day too, with my daily moisturizer and even underneath makeup.

Like I said, I had a preconceived notion that this serum would also work as an acne spot treatment which it does not. I can’t say it completely removes all my blemishes or acne. However, it does keeps the texture of my skin amazingly smooth, balanced andleaves my pores squeaky clean. The pores around my nose and cheeks are the usual dirt collectors and I was shocked at how effective the Clean Skin Serum was at completely banishing those little nasty blackheads.This serum doesn’t take long to produce noticeable results, the formula penetrates quickly and calms skin. I have been using this serum for a couple months now and I’ve noticed how it has also healed and maintained my skin overtime. I feel that this serum really does treat and nourish my skin.

I have a strong aversion to specific scents (too earthy or herby and I can’t stand it) and have a very sensitive nose. I love the scent of the MyChelle Clean Skin Serum and it is very botanically-scented. You can specially smell the Ylang Ylang flower oil and Lavender oil among the other lovely herbal ingredients in this Serum. To my nose, the scent does linger but I find it pleasant and not irritating but definitely noticeable. The ingredients are effective in combining organic, naturally-derived and bioactive ingredients that have many skin benefits such as Retinol (Vitamin A), Montmorillonite (clay minerals) Witch Hazel water, Willow Bark extract, Tea Tree Leaf oil and Aloe.

Overall, the MyChelle Clean Skin Serum has earned a permanent spot in my skincare regime. This serum never fails at regularly maintaining the texture of my skin, clearing pores and assisting in calming redness or blemishes. I can’t wait to try other MyChelle products like the Pumpkin Peel and Fruit Enzyme Mist.

Take advantage of these great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from the best organic/natural brands below. I’ll be updating this list as often as I can! This is a great time to try some new products or gift some green beauty to friends and family. What will you be stocking up on this year?

MIYU Beauty: The company pairs organic, botanical-based skincare products with specially curated teas that improves skin from the inside out. 25% off with code BFCMMIYU5, 11/29 through 12/2.

No More Dirty Looks: 15% off all Tata Harperskincare, free shipping on all orders over $40 through 12/4 plus: Free Deluxe Rejuvenating Serum with any purchase over $250, code BFS, Free Deluxe Boosted Contouring Serum with any purchase over $500, code BFB, Free Be Adored Lip Treatment with orders over $500. code ADORED

Nourish Organic: 50% off entire site only on Friday, 11/29 with code GREEN50. Free shipping on orders $50 or more.

Olie Biologique:Free shipping if you order Olie’s new All-Natural Whisker Shave Oil. Use code: MrWhisker, great for that special mister in your life!

Organic Beauty Talk: Curated, handcrafted, organic products, 25% off and free shipping through 11/29. 15% off w/ SHOPSMALL15 for Shop Small Business Saturday 11/30 20% off entire site for Cyber Monday, use code CYBER20, free ground shipping on all US orders.

Purifying Oil ($37.99/0.5oz) This oil is perfect for using right after the Purifying Cleanser or any other cleansing product. It is a very light facial oil that leaves my skin moisturized while not heavily greasy. It is faintly yellow in color but rubs clear on the skin. I have not broken out from this product and have noticed it improves minor skin discoloration and keeps my skin feeling soft. I use this oil when my skin is acting up and find that it soothes and nourishes my face. I really like the scent, it’s subtle but you can definitely detect the floral and chamomile notes in the ingredients which I find very calming. Ingredients: Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil*, Rosehip Seed (Rosa rubiginosa) Oil*, Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) Nut Oil*, Grapeseed (Vitis vinifera) Oil, Raw Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Oil*, Therapeuutic oil blends of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Flower*, Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) Flower*, Calendula (Calendula officinali) Flower*, Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) Flower* *Certified Organic. 100% of Ingredients Are of Natural Origin

Renewing Polish ($22.99/2oz) I enjoyed using this scrub which includes honey as a natural moisturizer. It’s a bit oily and liquidy due to the honey, oils and mix of exfoliants, but the ingredients cohere nicely so it’s not as messy as other facial scrubs I’ve tried. After using this product, I immediately noticed my blackheads were scrubbed away and all other dirt and grime seemed to be lifted from my face. I really like how this is also oil-based so the exfoliant is gentle, moisturizing and effective in treating and softening the skin. No breakouts or damage to my skin were noted from using this product.Ingredients:Brown Sugar*, Brown Rice Flower*, Cornmeal*, Raw Oregon Clover Honey, Lemon Juice*, Virgin Olive Oil*, Polysorbate-20 (Coconut Derived), Lavender Essential Oil*, Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) Essential Oil*, Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) Essential Oil, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) *Certified Organic. 100% of Ingredients Are of Natural Origin

Close-up of the Renewing Polish

Overall, this was a lovely skincare line to discover. I love how everything is handmade in small batches, derived from natural botanical ingredients and really moisturize and treat the skin. The product prices are also not too expensive. I enjoy using all 3 of these products but the Balancing Cleanser definitely stands out as a daily favorite.

Thanks to Katie from The Green Product Junkie for tagging me in this beauty tag! I love reading other bloggers’ answers to tags and this one had some fun questions. This tag was originally started by Sonja fromLife in Blush.

The literary character I’m most like is (take this quiz and share your answer!): According to the quiz, I’m most like Juliet from Romeo and Juliet! Perhaps I’ve always been driven by my emotions and a hopeless romantic…

My favorite superhero is: Hmm, Spiderman? He was really just a dorky, smart teenage kid who got bit by a radioactive spider and uses his super spidey powers for good. I always liked that he was always just being himself just with added super powers.

If I could have dinner with anyone dead or alive: Probably my grandfather. He died when I was young and I wish I had known him better. There are so many stories I want to hear from his point of view.

Winter is coming, how do you prep your skin for battle? Regular exfoliation with facial masks, cleansing with facial oils and moisturizing to protect from the dry, flakey areas that are always inevitable this time of year. My favorite multi-use product for preventing dry, winter skin is One Love Organics’ Skin Savior.

My go-to-skin-beautifying snack/drink is: I drink a lot of tea daily and I think it definitely relaxes and energizes me. I’ve been trying Kombucha tea which I like and is good for the skin from its probiotic component and its many antioxidant properties. I love a good matcha tea too.

My tv boyfriend is: I’m so behind with t.v. these days but I always liked Chris Messina on The Mindy Project. He’s just so sarcastic, caring, funny and doesn’t know how hot he really is.

One beauty tip I would pass on to my fictional daughter is: A little something my own mom always said to me: Never leave the house without at least a little lip color or mascara, you never know who you’re going to run into!

The most nostalgic item from my childhood is: A doll my parents gave me when I was born.

My favorite show of the moment is: I don’t watch too much t.v. but I’ve just finished all the seasons of Orange is the New Black on Netflix and I’m obsessed. The storyline and characters are so interesting and it is addicting to watch. Homeland is the most recent show I’ve started watching and I love it. Claire Danes is awesome!

Since my green beauty journey started, I’ve been lusting after makeup from the brand, Vapour Organic Beauty. Known for their top performing foundations, primers, lipstick and cheek tints, I’ve been waiting for the day I could indulge myself with some Vapour goodies. During a recent promotion, I picked up two Siren Lipsticks; one for myself and one for my mom. If there’s one beauty habit I picked up from my mom, it’s her love of lipstick. I’d been trying to get Mom to switch to cleaner lip products since I tossed out my old lipstick. After I relentlessly told her about all the nasty things in her beloved products and the dangers in using them, she posed me with the challenge of finding a clean lipstick that performed as well as her dirty favorites. Well, let’s just say I think I’ve found a winner!

I chose the color, Knockout for my mom and for myself, Holiday, a newly released lip color. Knockout seems to be a popular color out of the vast spectrum offered by Vapour Organic Beauty and the fact that it’s a classic, rich red means it’s a necessity for every lipstick-lover. My mom loved how moisturizing and long-lasting the Siren Lipstick formula was and the color looked gorgeous on her naturally, pigmented lips. She said the initial scent was a bit fruity for her liking but noticed it faded with time (I didn’t notice much scent). In the end, I get giddy seeing her wearing the color every day and enjoying it! (I win!) She now loves wearing Knockout everyday for a versatile and bold lip color.

Note: The majority of Vapour Organic’s lip products do contain carmine though some colors formulated without the ingredient are noted on the brand’s website.

Holiday, is a sheer berry, mauve color that is perfect for the fall. I’d been searching for a clean lipstick to replace my beloved Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum. Yes, a Revlon Lip Butter. Not the cleanest product, but the color was a perfect matte, plum tint that I wore everyday and have since been searching for a clean equivalent. Vapour Organic’s Siren Lipstick in Holiday is a sheer, deep mauve-purple that have put an end to my Sugar Plum daydreams. Holiday is buildable in color, is subtle but pigmented and the formula is long-lasting and moisturizing on my lips. (Holiday looks a bit pinker in this picture.) This lip color does not contain carmine. This is now what I use everyday for a pinky-plum, my-lips-but-better color!

Lycopene is a pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their red-orange color. Lycopene is classified as a carotenoid, naturally occurring orange-red to yellow pigment in plants which also assist in the process of photosynthesis. In animals, carotenes are converted to Vitamin A in the liver. Common fruits and vegetables containing lycopene are carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, red cabbage, grapefruit and watermelon.

Source: ea stewart

Recent studies have shown that lycopene is a great source of antioxidants which minimizes damage from free radicalsand is believed to reduce risk of illness such as cancer, macular degeneration (loss of vision) and cardiovascular disease. Due to its classification as a phytonutrient, lycopene is also believed to have photo-protective qualities that block UV light.

Due to its antioxidant properties and many health benefits, lycopene is also now a popular skincare ingredient. Lycopene allows for skin growth and repair as it protects from free radicals, anti-aging and UV radiation. It is also believed to improve skin texture.

The lovely Brandie from Organic Beauty Talk interviewed me for a “Meet the Organic Beauty” series. I am honored to be featured on the site today as Organic Beauty Talk was one of the first sites that inspired me to start my own blog.

You can read the entire interview here. More exciting things for my blog coming soon….

When I started going green with my skincare routine, I knew I would have to invest in something that could handle my sensitive skin and was gentle for everyday use. After much research, sampling and searching, I took the plunge and indulged in products from Pai Skincare.

Pai Skincareis a UK-based brand whose products are much adored by beauty bloggers and skincare fanatics all over the world. The products contain organic ingredients (no synthetics), with no fragrances, alcohol or irritating chemicals. Most importantly, products are formulated with sensitive skin and allergy-prone skin types in mind. The brand also focuses on transparency in listing exactly what is put into their products, something I admire:

You won’t find “parfum” on any of our ingredient lists – a term that legally allows manufacturers to include up to 200 synthetic chemicals, including phthalates, in their products without declaring them on the label. Pai was the first skin care company to list all ingredients in plain English, so you don’t need a chemistry degree to understand what’s in the bottle.

There are many products you can purchase from Pai Skincare depending on your skin type. Here are the products I chose and love using everyday:

1)Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser: I love how creamy and hydrating this cleanser is! The formula is very gentle, has a pleasant (but not strong) scent and does not contain harsh detergents or alcohol like my old cleansers did which dried out my skin. This is moisturizing enough to use twice a day (morning and evening) although I’ve taken to using this most evenings as this cleanser is great for removing makeup as well. After cleansing, my face feels extremely soft! Using the recommended muslin cloth to exfoliate, the cleanser clears my face of any dirt and buildup and my blackheads instantly disappear. Recommended for all skin types.

2)Lotus & Orange Blossom Bioaffinity Tonic: This toner is great for spritzing on the face whenever you want a quick refresh or feel dry. I spritz this on my face after cleansing and it instantly soothes my skin. The citrus scent is heavenly and nothing about this formula is irritating. Rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids, this toner is great for hydration and protecting the skin. Not to mention it’s improves skin tone and texture by naturally balancing the pH in your face. Recommended for dry/sensitive skin.

3)Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil: My favorite product and the part of my skincare routine I look forward to the most, this oil is simply amazing in its ability to moisturize, protect and provide an overall glow to my skin. As someone with sensitive and reactive skin, I was never a believer in facial oils and was hesitant to try any. This oil opened my eyes to the wonders of facial oils and started a love affair. You only need to rub 2-3 drops of this elixir (ingredients include cold-pressed rosehip seeds) to the face for instant hydration and conditioning of the skin. Rich in Vitamin A, I’ve noticed my dark spots lesson after using this and my face looks brighter and feels healthier after use. If there’s one Pai product you should try, it’s this oil! Recommended for all skin types.

4) Geranium & Thistle Organic Combination Skin Cream:This moisturizer is extremely gentle and does not leave the skin oily or greasy. This cream doesn’t block pores and actually leaves quite a matte finish. I like using this before I apply my makeup and rotate between using alone or with the Rosehip Oil at night. I like how this cream smoothes and moisturizes the skin and feels very light on my face. You only need a few pumps to apply on your face and I did not find it caused any facial irritation or breakouts. It has a light, fresh scent reminiscent of lemons. Recommended for combination, oily, combination-sensitive skin.

These products form the basis of my daily skincare routine and I believe they have truly transformed my face. Every product is gentle and effective for my sensitive skin and include naturally-derived ingredients certified by the UK Soil Association. Read more about the company ethics here.

You can purchase Pai Skincare products from the U.S. website here. I’ve also found BeautyBay.com provides Pai products at lower prices but takes a bit longer to ship as it’ll ship directly from the UK.